Multiple-flux electrical reed relay



M y 1954 v R. s. WINSHIP 3, 7

MULTIPLE-FLUX ELECTRICAL REED RELAY Filed July 2e 1961 INV EN TOR.

R LcharcL 3. Wins KL 9 AGENT United States Patent 3,134,867 MULTIPLE-FLUX ELECTRICAL REED RELAY Richard S. Winship, P.O. Box 34, Newtown, Conn. Filed July 26, 1961, Ser. No. 127,062

2 Claims. (Cl. 200-87);

This invention relates to sensitive electrical relays, and more particularly to relays of the type wherein the mechanical action is obtained as a consequence of interaction of two or more separate'or individual magnetic fluxes.

Relays of the" above-identified type as currently being produced in quantity on the market comprise an electric switch means having at least one movable magnetic memher which responds to flux to open orclose the switch contacts, such flux being provided by a small permanent magnet, To effect actuation of the switch, :there is further provided an electrical, coil constituting an electromagnet which is so arranged as to oppose or buck the flux-from the permanent magnet whereby the nullified magnetismhas a lessereifect on the magnetic switch component, relieving the-switch member of magnetic force whereby a spring actionm'ay effect the desired movement. Upon de-energization of the electrical coil, the full effect of the flux from the permanent magnet isexperienced by the magnetic switch member, to cause movement of the 'latter against thejspring action.

While relays of the abovetype appear to have operated satisfactorily, I have found that the electrical coil eventually causes a deterioration of the pe manent .magnet whereby the latter looses strength to such an extent that ultimately the relay becomes inoperative for the purpose desired. I have further discovered that with this prior type of relayit is difiicult to attain closely controlled values of flux, whereby individual adjustments and re-adjustments are often necessary and whereby in spite of these and the attendant expense there results a lack of uniformity in performance. The .above' drawbacks and disadvantages of prior electrical relays of the identified type are obviated by the present invention, and one object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved bucking-flux electrical relay having two orrnore separate and individual magnetic operating fluxes, which relay is reliable inoperation throughout an extended period of use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an imrapid or fast-acting in its response.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide an improved multi-fiux relay in accordancewith the foregoing, which is efiicientand sensitive inits operation;

' Still ,another' object oftthe invention is. to provide a proved relay as above'characterized, which is especially novel multiple-flux relay as 'set forth, which is small and compact whereby it does notrequire appreciable space.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved multiple-flux relay as outlinecL'which is no adversely affected by externalmagnetic fields.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a multiple-flux relay as above set forth, which is simple in its construction, involves relatively few parts or components, and which is especially economical to fabricate and produce.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear. In the accompanying drawings showing several embodiments of the invention, similar characters of reference have been used to designate like components wherever possible throughout the several views, in which:

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view through an improved multiple-flux electrical relay as provided by the invention.

3,134,867 Patented. May 26, 1964 coil organization, illustrating the method of winding the coil in bifilar fashion.

. FIG. 4 is an axial sectional view of an improved multiple-flux relay illustrating a modification of the invention wherein the metal casing or can for the relay mechanism also constitutes a return magnetic path for the flux-responsive switch means.

Referring first to FIG. 1, the improved quick-acting relay as provided by the invention comprises an electrical switching device designated generally by the numeral 10, the said switching device having a pair of magnetic members or blades 12 and 14, disposed substantially in alignment with each other, at least one of such blades constituting a movable switch member, and adjoining end portions of the blades or strips being arranged in overlapping relation. As shown, an end portion 12a of the blade 12 and an end portion 14a, of the blade 14 overlap each other whereby these portions constitute contacts which are engageable with and disengageable from each other. The switch blade 14 may constitute solely the movable member of the switch device, or as preferred, both blades 12 and 14 are movable by virtue of being flexible and resilient, being constituted of thin metal stock by which they may be readily fiexed.

The switch blades 12 and 14 may be mounted in any suitable manner. As shown herein, the blades are carried within a sealed capsule 16 which may be advantageously formed of glass, and preferably the air is evacuated from the capsule and an inert gas such as helium is used to replace the same.

The extrenal ends or extremities of the strips 12, 14 constituting. the switch 10 are connected with suitable lead wires 18 and 20 respectively, said wires being joined to contact pins of a plug-type connector 22 of standard design. The connector 22 may, for example, be in the form of the Well known vacuum tube base, having a disklike body'portion 24, a central'locator pin 26 formed integral with the body portion, and a plurality of metallic hollow contact pins 28 disposed in a circle. Where eight such contact pins areprovidedythetube base is known as an. octabas e. v

Carried by the plug-type connector or base 22 is an external metallic casing 30 in the form of a deep cylindrical shell or cup, having at one end an integral transverse Wall 32 and at its other end a gripping flange 34 by which it is secured to an annular shoulder 36 on the tube base. Preferably the shell or casing 30 is of magnetic metal such as steel, by which the switch device is completely shielded and prevented from being effected .by external stray fields.

In accordance with the present-invention, a fast acting, positive and reliable electro-rnagnetic means is provided for actuating the sealed-in switch device 10, the said means comprising a pair of bucking electrical coils 38 and 40,

apart, through which the ends of the two coils 38, 40 may 'pass. As seen in FIG. 2, end wires 38a and 40:: may constitute the beginning portions of the two coils 38, 40,

and the wires 38b and 40b may constitute the end portions of the two coils. The winding of the two coils is preferably done at one and the same time, as by starting with two wires and winding the bobbin 42 in layer fashion, feeding the two wires as a single one, so to speak, this fashion of winding being clearly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

When the winding has been completed, the four leads 38a, 38b and 40a, 4% are brought out to the connector pins 48 of the plug connector 22, as illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in this figure, the sealed capsule 16 closely fits within the core portion of the bobbin 42 whereby a mutual support is had. The stiffness of the lead or connector wires is sutficient to fully support the assemblage of switch device, sealed capsule and bucking coil winding within the case .30. If desired, a potting compound may be further utilized within the case 30, to embed and support the assemblage, or sponge insulating or other type material may be employed in the spaces, to hold the coil assembly roughly centralized.

I have found that an electrical relay device as constituted in the above manner, comprising a pair of bucking electrical coils which are arranged in tightly coupled relationship, provides an extremely fast and reliable switching action, as follows:

Normally one of the two coils 38, 40 may be continually energized. For example, the coil 38 may be the one that is energized. This effects a strong magnetization of the magnetic strips 12, 14 making up the switch device, and the attraction between the overlap ping ends of such strips will be quite strong, causing these portions to firmly contact each other, whereby the switch device is in closed condition. When it is desired to open the circuit of the switch device, the second coil 40 is energized with the direction of current opposite to that in the coil 38 and to an extent roughly equal to the energization of the coil 38. In consequence, the fluxes or magnetic fields of the coils will be in bucking relation and will tend to cancel out each other, whereby but little resultant fiux will exist at the capsule 16.. The switch blades 12, 14 will accordingly be only very lightly magnetized, if at all, and virtually no magnetic attraction will therefor exist between the overlapping ends thereof. In consequence, the normal mechanical bias which is experienced by the resilient contact blades will elfect a separation of the same, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

I have found that by virtue of the double, bucking coil construction where dependence is not had upon permanent magnetism, the switching action is reliable throughout an extended life period of the relay. This is in sharp contrast to relays involving permanent-magnet, flux-generating means, wherein an opposing magnetic flux tends to weaken the permanent magnetism to such an extent that it impairs the proper, normal operation of the relay.

With the above construction, if the switch device is to be normally open, then both of the coils 38, 40 are normally energized equally and in opposition. Deenergization of either one or the other of the coils 38, 40 will result in a strong flux being manifested in the capsule 16, and a closing of the switch contacts comprising the blades 12, 14. On the other hand, if the switch device 10 is to be normally closed, then either one or the other of the two coils 38, 40 is continually energized, to effect such condition. Proper energization of the other coil at any time will result in the switch device 10 being open-circuited as will now be understood.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein a more complete magnetic circuit and path is provided, in conjunction with the magnetic switch blades or strips, whereby the relay action is more sensitive in response to weaker currents and magnetism in the opposing or bucking coils. In FIG. 4, the switch blades of magnetic material are designated by the numerals and 62. The switch blades have adjoining portions arranged in overlapping relation as shown, and the blade 62 is connected to a lead wire 64, and also physically afiixed to a magnetic disk or shallow cup 66 which is disposed against the closed end 68 of a magnetic casing 70. A thin film of insulating material 72 may be provided between the disk 66 and the casing 70, to electrically insulate these from each other. The

switch blades 60 and 62 are carried in a sealed capsule 74, and the blade 60 at the exterior of the capsule 74 is bent into a U-shape and is secured to a ring or an 4- nulus of magnetic material 76, in the form of a section of a cylinder. The ring 76 is disposed within the open end portion of the casing 70, and is insulated from the latter by a thin film or strip of insulating material 78. A lead wire 80 is joined to the switch strip 60, as shown.

A bucking coil assemblage 82 wound on a bobbin 84 is disposed within the casing 70, surrounding the sealed capsule 74, and the four lead wires from the two opposing coils are brought out in a cable 86, as shown.

By the above construction as illustrated in FIG. 4, the magnetism from the coil assemblage 82 when either one or the other of the two coils thereof is energized, finds a magnetic path through the switch blades 60, 62, through the magnetic disk 66, through the magnetic casing 70, and through the ring 76. Accordingly, virtually a complete magnetic path is provided both inside and outside of the coil assemblage 82, whereby a given flux or magnetomotive force in one coil or the other will result in a much stronger magnetism and flux in the complete path outlined above. Accordingly, the relay will respond to weaker currents and hence be more sensitive. The opposing action of the two coils making up the coil assemblage 82 is similar to that described above in connection with FIGS. 1-3. In FIG. 4 a diagrammatic representation of the coil wires is shown, one wire being designated by the numeral whereas the other wire is labelled 92.

As with the relay illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the absence of permanent magnetism and dependence on the same results in extreme reliability in the relay, since the fluxes from the cells will not deteriorate, but instead are a function of the ampere turns.

It will now be understood from the foregoing that I have provided a novel and improved electrical relay device which is small and compact, reliable in its operation at all times, and especially fast-acting by virtue of the sealed switch construction and the bucking or opposing coils providing the motivation.

The relay is seen to consist of relatively few parts and components, and to involve a simple construction and assemblage whereby it may be economically fabricated and produced.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. An electric relay comprising a single solid-wound coil means constituted of a pair of hollow bucking tightly wound electrical coils having equal numbers of turns, interwound and arranged in tightly coupled relationship whereby at least major portions of the flux patterns thereof may occupy substantially the same predetermined central core space, said coils being capable of nulling each other; and a flux-operated electric switch means disposed in said predetermined space and comprising contacts and magnetic blades carrying the contacts, at least one of said blades being movable andresponsive by movement to flux from said coils for shifting at least one contact toward and away from the other contact and effecting actuation of the switch as one coil is energized and de-energized while the other coil remains energized, said coils being wound bifilar fashion and having a common hollow-core bobbin the central core space of which comprises the bore space of the coils, and said switch means being disposed in the said common hollow space, said coils being layer wound and having substantially the same number of turns of equal diameter, located in alternation, in each layer; means outside of the coils, constituting a return magnetic circuit for the flux-operated switch means, said means comprising a generally cylindrical can of magnetic material, constituting a casting for the relay, said can having an integral closed end commensurate in size with its diameter and an open end; a magnetic disk spaced within and commensurate in size with the closed can end and closely juxtaposed thereto, and also a magnetic ring constituting a cylindrical section closely juxtaposed to the interior surface of the can and disposed and spaced within the open end, said disk and ring being closely magnetically coupled to and electrically insulated from the can, said magnetic switch blades having polar portions physically and magnetically connected with said ring and disk respectively to conduct flux thereto, said disk being coextensive with the closed can end whereby relatively large surface areas of the disk and can end are broadside to each other, and juxtaposed to effect a good magnetic coupling, and said ring having an axial length which is appreciably greater than the wall thickness of the can and being closely spaced therefrom to effect a good magnetic coupling between the can and ring, to the end that the relay is sensitive in its response.

2. A relay as in claim 1, wherein the magnetic switch blades overlap portions of the disk and ring respectively and are secured thereto to provide areas of appreciable contact therewith.

References Cit ed in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,058,610 Martin Oct. 27, 1936 2,264,022 Ellwood Nov. 25, 1941 2,289,830 Ellwood July 14, 1942 2,487,052 Hastings Nov. 8, 1949 2,488,325 Peek Nov. 15, 1949 2,570,315 Brewer Oct. 9, 1951 2,889,424 Glore et al. June 2, 1959 2,907,846 Wilhelm Oct. 6, 1959 2,922,857 Peek Jan. 26, 1960 3,005,072 Brown Oct. 17, 1961 3,033,956 Iup-tner May 8, 1962 3,059,075 Peek Oct. 16, 1962 3,088,056 Tevonian Apr. 30, 1963 

1. AN ELECTRIC RELAY COMPRISING A SINGLE SOLID-WOUND COIL MEANS CONSTITUTED OF A PAIR OF HOLLOW BUCKING TIGHTLY WOUND ELECTRICAL COILS HAVING EQUAL NUMBERS OF TURNS, INTERWOUND AND ARRANGED IN TIGHTLY COUPLED RELATIONSHIP WHEREBY AT LEAST MAJOR PORTIONS OF THE FLUX PATTERNS THEREOF MAY OCCUPY SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME PREDETERMINED CENTRAL CORE SPACE, SAID COILS BEING CAPABLE OF NULLING EACH OTHER; AND A FLUX-OPERATED ELECTRIC SWITCH MEANS DISPOSED IN SAID PREDETERMINED SPACE AND COMPRISING CONTACTS AND MAGNETIC BLADES CARRYING THE CONTACTS, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID BLADES BEING MOVABLE AND RESPONSIVE BY MOVEMENT TO FLUX FROM SAID COILS FOR SHIFTING AT LEAST ONE CONTACT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE OTHER CONTACT AND EFFECTING ACTUATION OF THE SWITCH AS ONE COIL IS ENERGIZED AND DE-ENERGIZED WHILE THE OTHER COIL REMAINS ENERGIZED, SAID COILS BEING WOUND BIFILAR FASHION AND HAVING A COMMON HOLLOW-CORE BOBBIN THE CENTRAL CORE SPACE OF WHICH COMPRISES THE BORE SPACE OF THE COILS, AND SAID SWITCH MEANS BEING DISPOSED IN THE SAID COMMON HOLLOW SPACE, SAID COILS BEING LAYER WOUND AND HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME NUMBER OF TURNS OF EQUAL DIAMETER, LOCATED IN ALTERNATION, IN EACH LAYER; MEANS OUTSIDE OF THE COILS, CONSTITUTING A RETURN MAGNETIC CIRCUIT FOR THE FLUX-OPERATED SWITCH MEANS, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL CAN OF MAGNETIC MATERIAL, CONSTITUTING A CASTING FOR THE RELAY, SAID CAN HAVING AN INTEGRAL CLOSED END COMMENSURATE IN SIZE WITH ITS DI- 